Downtown Naples Festival of the Arts 2011

A bronze sculpture entitled The Embrace on display by artist Bob Wilfong during the 23rd annual Downtown Naples Festival of the Arts held on Saturday on 5th Avenue South. Jason Easterly/Special to the Daily News

Robbi Kraft of North Dakota and Ann Olson of Naples look over Firehead Torches by Bruce and Christine Green of Naples. "The perfect outdoor party starter" according to Christine. Photo by Gordon Campbell/Special to the Daily News.

Silhouetted against a signature Naples sky are bronze works, mostly birds by Carl Wagner. His life size Herons have been "big sellers". Photo by Gordon Campbell/Special to the Daily News.

Superb musician Pat Surface of Minnesota's famous musical family the La Plants performed acoustic classics and his own songs. Helped out by wife Donna they tour the country in support of their popular work and recording label Spiritwood Music. Photo by Gordon Campbell/Special to the Daily News.

The crowd numbering in the thousands had their choice of over 225 artists and at least a dozen mediums on 5th. Photo by Gordon Campbell/Special to the Daily News.

Jason Gibson of Rita's Italian Ice expected brisk business as the crowd of shoppers built. Photo by Gordon Campbell/Special to the Daily News.

A life sized leaping blue marlin caught the attention of Marilyn Maytum of Naples. By John Townsend the fish was one of his many anatomically detailed bronze sculptures. Photo by Gordon Campbell/Special to the Daily News.

Hunter and Lou Scott of Cape Cod were almost mesmerized by David O'Neal's gorgeous custom wooden flutes. Easier to play than traditional metal flutes, Rising Moon Flutes are beautifully crafted and produce a soft, native American sound. Photo by Gordon Campbell/Special to the Daily News.

Mark Mathews who works along with his father Bob specializes in brass, aluminum and copper art depicting sea scenes, birds and flowers. He also reported sales. Photo by Gordon Campbell/Special to the Daily News.

The Downtown Naples, Von Liebig Art Show on 5th blossomed under gorgeous Southwest Florida skies and was well attended. Photo by Gordon Campbell/Special to the Daily News.

Close inspection through Classic Glass Studio's "Great Blue Heron" reveals one of the multitude of art fans on 5th Avenue today. Photo by Gordon Campbell/Special to the Daily News.

Brilliant stained glass by Classic Glass Studios is used as architectural embellishment and colorfully depicts the life and scenes of Florida. Photo by Gordon Campbell/Special to the Daily News.

Clay tree frogs for indoor and outdoor hanging were popular and got a look here from MJ Conway (right) of Ft. Myers. Some of artist G Todd Vaughn's work became back ordered. Photo by Gordon Campbell/Special to the Daily News.

Artist John Zidek who works in hand blown glass and copper enjoys a sale. A travelling artist he visits key shows like this one on 5th Ave. Photo by Gordon Campbell/Special to the Daily News.

By noon time the Avenue was packed with virtually every booth attracting attention. Photo by Gordon Campbell/Special to the Daily News.

Metal garden art by Kevin Schartz proved popular as several sales occured while photos were shot. Photo by Gordon Campbell/Special to the Daily News.

Popo Flanigan demonstrates oil painting outside and is the artist in residence at the new "Citrus" a popular 5th Avenue retaurant. "Happy Art from Smileville" is how her work has been described and billed. Photo by Gordon Campbell/Special to the Daily News.

Durable, colorful and musically pleasing glass wind chimes by Bobbie Matus made for a busy booth. From the East Coast Bobbie also travels.

Thousands of people were in attendance at the 23rd annual Downtown Naples Festival of the Arts held on Saturday on 5th Avenue South. Jason Easterly/Special to the Daily News

Artist Bob Wilfong talks with Terry Skinner of Cleveland, Ohio about his bronze sculptures during the 23rd annual Downtown Naples Festival of the Arts held on Saturday on 5th Avenue South. Jason Easterly/Special to the Daily News

Orlando artist Ralph Rankin talks with onlookers about the technique he uses to color his ceramic pots during the 23rd annual Downtown Naples Festival of the Arts held on Saturday on 5th Avenue South. Jason Easterly/Special to the Daily News

Julie Sullivan, left, of Kalamazoo, Mich. speaks with Jodi Causey of Scott Causey Clay about her husbands ceramic art during the 23rd annual Downtown Naples Festival of the Arts held on Saturday on 5th Avenue South. Jason Easterly/Special to the Daily News

Lynn Napieralski of Fredonia, New York examines blown glass art by Englewood, Fla. artist Rich Fizer during the 23rd annual Downtown Naples Festival of the Arts held on Saturday on 5th Avenue South. Jason Easterly/Special to the Daily News

Lynn Napieralski of Fredonia, New York examines blown glass art by Englewood, Fla. artist Rich Fizer during the 23rd annual Downtown Naples Festival of the Arts held on Saturday on 5th Avenue South. Jason Easterly/Special to the Daily News

Bill Rossebo of Milwaukee points out a photograph by Vero Beach Bodyscapes artist Allan I. Teger during the 23rd annual Downtown Naples Festival of the Arts held on Saturday on 5th Avenue South. Jason Easterly/Special to the Daily News